The resumption of livestock export rises the prices of meat in the Self-Administration areas

Kobani – Fattah Isa

The resumption of livestock export rises the prices of meat in the Self-Administration areas

The areas of the Self-Administration, in northeast of Syria, witness a rise in multiple types of meat’s costs, up to 20%, a month ago, following the reduction in the import of live chickens from abroad.

The sudden rise in chicken and meat prices, has caused financial problems to restaurants, butchers, and chicken shops, as well as lower purchases of meat by the middle class, that make up the majority of the population.

Domestic markets rely, mainly, on the importation of live poultry from Turkey and areas under the control of the Syrian government ,in the supply of white meat, , while relying less on local poultry.

Ahmed Daban, co-chair of the Supply Directorate in Kobani city, east of Aleppo, told North Press that the high price of chicken goes back to ” the reduction in the  import from Turkey, and the increased demand in the region.”

The Self-Administration authorities have prevented the importation of all types of frozen meat , since 2015, upon the emergence of health problems, and because the imports were not in conformity with health standards.

The cost of one kilogram of chicken reached/ 1075 / Syrian pound, after it was less than / 750 / Syrian pounds, a month ago, followed by the increase of other types of meat prices; the average price of lamb and beef meat was about /3500-3800 / SP, where, before, the prices were not exceeding / 3000 / SP.

Export contributes to higher prices

Self-Administration resumed the export of livestock through Semalka Border Crossing, on the Iraqi Kurdistan border , at the end of last March, after months of stopping the export, which contributed to the rise in prices.

Some traders, also, smuggle livestock to areas under the control of the Syrian government.

Other reasons

poultry owners attribute the reason for the rise in prices, mainly, to the production standstill, after the Economic Commission allowed the importation of live chickens.

Adib Sulaiman, owner of several poultry in Kobani countryside, demands the Self-Administration to support the local production  and the impose high customs duties on imports. “About 70% of the poultry farms stopped working because they cannot compete with the imported chickens, in terms of prices due to high feed prices and labor costs. “

Turkish products and goods enter the Self-Administration areas ,mainly, through Aoun Al-Dadat crossing, north of Minbij city, coming from the areas controlled by Al-Furat Shield factions.